Siege and celebration

Siege and celebration
Anna Maria Island Privateers find Anna Maria Mayor Mike Selby hiding under the desk in his city hall office Jan. 3. The mayor was taken hostage until the city and its citizens met a series of demands — cash, a key to the city and a proclamation giving the krewe free reign during its 40th anniversary year. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff

The pirates found the mayor hiding under his desk, but it did him no good as they quickly grabbed him and dragged him from the building.

Selby was shackled to the mast of the pirate ship Skullywag and not released until a ransom was paid to the krewe by the concerned Anna Maria citizens who gathered to hear the pirate demands.

Along with the ransom, the krewe of the Anna Maria Island Privateer’s demanded a key to the city and a city commission decree giving them full right to plunder and pillage the city this year.

The invasion was all in good fun and for a worthy cause, as the Privateers opened its 40th anniversary year.

The Anna Maria invasion was organized by Privateer Tim “Hammer” Thompson, who encouraged the citizens of Anna Maria to come forward and donate toward the ransom for their mayor to spare him more agony.

While waiting for a suitable sum for ransom, pirate Deby “Hun” Kuederle and “Fox” Smith gave Selby 40 lashes just to remind him to behave and get the commission moving on the decree.

The mayor’s cries must have touched the hearts of the estimated 80 people in attendance, as more bills quickly appeared in the Privateers’ collection hats.

Finally, after several cannon shots over the city and Privateer threats of more damage and arrests, Selby was released and produced the required decree, signed by Vice-Mayor Chuck Webb, certified by city clerk Alice Baird and read by Commissioner John Quam.

The decree announced more “shenanigans” on the Island from the Privateers this year, including invasions and arrests of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach dignitaries.

Roger “Hoodat” Murphree accepted the decree on behalf of the Privateers, but declined to say when the next invasion would take place.

“That’s for us to know, and they’ll find out when it happens,” Murphree roared as he waved his pirate sword to the terror of the crowd.

Hammer said 42 other pirate events are on the group’s 2011 calendar, and the goal is to raise $40,000 to “give away to Island students as college scholarships.”

The Anna Maria invasion raised about $400, according to the krewe’s tabulation.

After receiving the decree, Thompson said it was time to “eat, drink and be merry” and to give the Privateers “a little rum,” even if they didn’t have a permit for alcoholic beverages. Thompson said they didn’t need one, “We’re pirates and we own the city today.”

Along with the grog provided by the Privateers, a number of Anna Maria restaurants donated food to feed the hungry krewe and attendees.

Those included the Waterfront Restaurant, Rotten Ralph’s, the City Pier Restaurant, Slim’s Place, Feeling Swell, Anna Maria General Store and the Sandbar Restaurant. Legacy Wholesale of Bradenton also donated to the feast.